One of the greatest reasons (and there are many to be sure) to GATHER supplies and tools first, is to help cull decision fatigue. This habit of mine starts even before a singular project. This approach is starting to form seasonal making for me in a more informed way as well. While thinking through a season of making has been a creative partner through the years, this GATHERing for a project is now defining that even more. It's a great gift when one habit helps to refine another habit.

GATHERing helps to stay focused within a set of supplies (and one will also discover that the tools reached for are the same again and again too). If supplies are scattered about the space, there is a break in thought and congruency. That break in focus is a fight of distraction. The tendency to have to get up to find items often can lead to thinking about something else. Which then takes us away from the making at hand. And how often are we frustrated because we are not getting projects completed? Can I get an amen?

May these GATHER portions of the classrooms help to form habits for you that in and of themselves create focus on the project in your mind and on your workspace. May you find this idea to work greatly for you as well a refine other making habits. May you continue to desire to make beautiful things.